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enA-League: Melbourne Victory 2 Wellington Phoenix 3Just as Adelaide United did on Friday, Melbourne Victory missed a chance to replace Perth Glory at the top of the A-League when they were beaten 3-2 by Wellington Phoenix.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/melbourne-victory-2-wellington-phoenix-3-hosts-miss-chance-go-top
Kevin Muscat's hosts led twice in the clash at AAMI Park on Sunday, but on each occasion they were pegged back, before conceding again to suffer their first home loss to the New Zealand outfit.
Scott Galloway handed the home sidethe advantage just past the half-hour mark, only forRoly Bonevacia's stunning free-kick to draw Wellington just before the break.
Kosta Barbarouses restored Melbourne's lead, but goals fromMichael Boxall andNathan Burns settled matters.
The result comes as a long overdue measure of revenge for Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick, who was sacked by Victory in 2011 despite having led the club to two titles.
news_articleSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:11:20 +0000352933 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comA-League: Sydney wary of struggling WanderersRhyan Grant insists Sydney FC are not underestimating cellar-dwelling Western Sydney Wanderers as the two teams prepare to square-off in the Sydney derby on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/league-preview-sydney-wary-wanderers-ahead-derby
After being crowned Asian champions in November, 2013-14 A-League runners-up Western Sydney have endured a nightmare season domestically, languishing two points adrift at the bottom of the table.
Having only managed one win in 16 matches this season after last week's late 2-1 loss at Adelaide United, Wanderers - who have two games in hand - are outsiders for Saturday's hosting of fifth-placed Sydney at Pirtek Stadium.
Tony Popovic's men will also be without suspended duo Matthew Spiranovic and Mateo Poljak for the fixture but Sydney defender Grant knows form counts for nothing in derby matches, even after his team defeated Central Coast Mariners 4-2.
"We know things haven't gone as well as they wanted to but that's football. It can take just one game for them to get back into the swing of things and we don't want that to be against us," said Grant, who signed a two-year extension during the week.
"We're very cautious of what they can do. They've got a great squad and a great coach, Popa [Popovic] has done wonders since he's been there and that's why we won't be taking them easily because of how well they've done in the Champions League and in the A-League."
Ladder leaders Perth Glory are also in action on Saturday.
Glory, whose lead atop the table has been cut to just two points amid a run of three draws and two defeats following last week's goalless stalemate at Melbourne City, face Brisbane Roar at nib Stadium.
Roar had the week off last week after their round 17 fixture at home to Melbourne Victory was postponed due to safety concerns surrounding Tropical Cyclone Marcia.
The remaining fixture on Saturday sees second-bottom Newcastle Jets go head-to-head with fellow strugglers the Mariners in the F3 Derby.
Newcastle threw away a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 with Wellington Phoenix and Mariners captained John Hutchinson has stoked the fire ahead of the match, with only five points separating the two teams.
"If you look at Newcastle, who are meant to have the big community and big club mentality, but I don't remember the last time they made the finals," said Hutchinson.
"I'm sure the fans and members up there would be very disappointed in what the club produces year in, year out.
"This season's been a rebuilding season for us and I know Newcastle has been in a rebuilding phase for the last four years, so we're going through one at the moment."
Archie Thompson - the league's all-time leading scorer - is set to make his 200th appearance for second-placed Melbourne Victory when Wellington travel to AAMI Park on Sunday.
Foundation player Thompson has scored 84 goals and won two A-League titles since debuting for the club in 2005.
In a boost for Victory, who could leapfrog Glory depending on results over the weekend, marquee striker Besart Berisha is free to play after escaping with a reprimand for making a crude gesture towards Sydney supporters almost a fortnight ago.
The round kicks off in Melbourne on Friday as stuttering City play host to third-placed Adelaide, who are level on points with Victory.
news_articleWed, 25 Feb 2015 03:50:15 +0000350387 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRoar-Victory postponed due to Cyclone MarciaFridays A-League fixture between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory has been postponed due to dangerous weather conditions caused by Cyclone Marcia.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/roar-victory-postponed-due-cyclone-marcia
The Roar released a statement on Friday that Football Federation Australia (FFA) had decided to postpone the match, "afteradvice from the State Government, emergency authorities including Queensland Policeand the Bureau of Meteorology".
A new date for the match, which will be held at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, is yet to be announced.
Cyclone Marcia - a category five storm - made landfall on Friday on the central Queensland coast and is expected to remain at, at least, a category three level until Friday evening local time (mid-morning GMT) and potentially into Saturday.
It is expected that up to 300 millimetres of rain could fall in Brisbane on Friday.
news_articleFri, 20 Feb 2015 00:27:26 +0000347202 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comA-League: Perth hoping for positive changeA-League leaders Perth Glory will be desperate for some good news against Melbourne City on Sunday, with a pall of negativity hanging over the club.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/league-preview-perth-hoping-positive-change
Glory are under investigation by Football Federation Australia for salary cap irregularities, while the Western Australian club have not won in four A-League matches.
To add to their misery, two Glory players - striker Andy Keogh and defender Josh Risdon - were arrested for disorderly conduct after last weekend's 1-1 draw away to Adelaide United.
Perth have fined the duo, although they will be available for Glory's trip to Victoria to take on City on Sunday.
Kenny Lowe's Perth have not won since the A-League resumed after the Asian Cup but remain on top of the A-League by a point from second-placed Melbourne Victory.
City will welcome Glory to AAMI Park having not scored in two matches,but will be banking on their home record to return to the winners' list.
John van 't Schip's men drew 0-0 away to Wellington Phoenix last week and were thumped 3-0 by archrivals Victory a fortnight ago, but City have scored in 17 straight matches at their home ground - including three wins in their past four.
When Glory visited City in Melbourne on Boxing Day, Perth came from behind to draw 1-1.
If Lowe's side fail to win, it could see Victory end the round on top of the standings.
Victory travel to Brisbane Roar on Friday, looking to stretch their unbeaten run to five matches, and they should be confident as they have scored 11 goals in their past four fixtures, although two have ended in 3-3 draws.
If Victory win in Brisbane they will move to 36 points, while Perth sit on 34 heading into round 18.
On Saturday, Central Coast Mariners will travel south to take on Sydney FC and Adelaide United will host Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Mariners were dumped out of the AFC Champions League by China's Guangzhou RF in a qualifier on Tuesday and will be keen to bounce back against Sydney.
On Sunday, Wellington Phoenix will take on Newcastle Jets.
news_articleWed, 18 Feb 2015 05:29:32 +0000346005 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comA-League Wrap: Smeltz two-goal hero for SydneyShane Smeltz came off the bench to score twice for Sydney FC as they played out a gripping 3-3 draw with A-League leaders Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/league-review-smeltz-two-goal-hero-sydney-wanderers-rue-late-spot-kick
In an epic battle that had great goals, two penalties, seven yellow cards, fiery exchanges and a touch of controversy, Smeltz proved the home side's hero with a late brace.
Marc Janko gave the hosts an early lead from the spot before Kosta Barbarouses and Gui Finkler netted within seven minutes to put Victory 2-1 up at the break.
Sydney drew level after a contentious penalty 17 minutes from time, only for Nick Ansell to put Victory back in front just five minutes later.
But Smeltz had the final say with a superb header five minutes from the end as the two sides played out a 3-3 draw for the second time this season.
An injury-time penalty from Lee Ki-je enabled the Newcastle Jets to snatch a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Wanderers looked like set to haul themselves off the foot of the table and above the second-bottom Jets when Brendon Santalab converted from the spot after Daniel Mullen handled in the area.
But the Jets hit back, winning a spot-kick of their own two minutes into stoppage time as a result of Radovan Pavicevic's volley striking the arm of Antony Golec.
Ki-je kept his nerve to score and ensure the Jets remain one point ahead of the Wanderers.
The day's remaining game ended goalless between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City.
news_articleSat, 14 Feb 2015 12:15:18 +0000343649 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comA-League: Depleted Sydney ready for VictorySydney will be without Nikola Petkovic and Jacques Faty for Saturdays showdown with rivals Melbourne Victory but coach Graham Arnold is confident he has the quality in depth to deal with the losses.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/league-preview-depleted-sydney-ready-victory
Petkovic and Faty will sit out the round 17 visit of Victory to Allianz Stadium after both players were sent off during Sydney's 3-1 win over A-League leaders Perth Glory last week.
The dismissals in Perth dampened an otherwise successful night for Sydney, who consolidated fifth spot and moved within eight points of Glory.
Sebastian Ryall and Matthew Jurman are set to replace Petkovic and Faty at the heart of Sydney's defence.
And Arnold believes Sydney have enough depth as they look to end a run of five games without a win on home soil.
"Yes, we lose quality stoppers but it's a big chance for two players with a lot of A-League experience, and both of whom have won a couple of championships," Arnold said following Saturday's win.
"We'll need more of the same against Victory but we also need a big crowd to help us improve our home form.
"Away, we're unbeaten, and if our home form picks up then anything is possible. We've got two home games coming up and most of all I'm looking for consistency."
Sydney, however, will be against it when they host second-placed Victory.
Victory moved to within a point of top spot courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 victory over rivals Melbourne City on Saturday.
Sydney and Victory have played out three consecutive draws since the latter claimed a last-gasp 2-1 win in April last year.
Top-four hopefuls Wellington Phoenix are also in action on Saturday as they entertain City.
Fourth-placed Phoenix were beaten 2-0 by Western Sydney Wanderers last week.
But after two consecutive defeats on the road, Phoenix are back in New Zealand at Hutt Recreational Ground.
Leading into Saturday's fixture, coach Ernie Merrick revealed he is in talks with the club regarding a new deal.
"I've only just started having those discussions but I am enjoying Wellington and want to stay," Merrick said."I think, and hope, the board feels the same way."
The match is vital to City's finals chances, after their derby loss to Victory left them just a solitary point clear of in-form defending champions Brisbane Roar.
Saturday's other fixture sees Newcastle Jets and the Wanderers go head-to-head at Hunter Stadium.
Brisbane open the round at Central Coast Mariners on Friday on the back of successive wins.
The Mariners, who lost talented forward Mitch Duke to J.League side Shimizu S Pulse mid-week, stunned high-flying Adelaide United 2-1 last week.
Meanwhile, Adelaide and Perth complete the round at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.
news_articleWed, 11 Feb 2015 03:52:13 +0000341540 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comA-League Wrap: Perth lead trimmed to one pointPerth Glory saw their lead at the top of the A-League cut to one point on Saturdayas they were beaten 3-1 by Sydney FC, after Melbourne Victory had romped to a 3-0 win in their derby against Melbourne City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/league-review-perth-lead-trimmed-one-point
Hosts Perth fell behind to Marc Janko's 30th-minute penalty, awarded when Dragan Paljic pulled back Alex Brosque.
Sydney's Jacques Faty and Dino Dulbic of Perth received straightred cards six minutes laterafter tangling at a free-kick.
Milos Dimitrijevic added a second spot-kick for the visitors with 21 minutes remaining, only forSydney to bereduced to nine men whenNikola Petkovic wasdismissed.
Denis Kramar pulled a goal back for Perth almost immediately, yetSydney were not to be denied and wrapped up the points courtesy of a late strike from Bernie Ibini-Isei.
Victory had earlier run out comfortable winners over Melbourne rivals City, courtesy of goals from Besart Berisha, KostaBarbarouses and Fahid Ben Khalfallah.
Central Coast Mariners came from behind to record a surprise victory over high-flyingAdelaide United 2-1 in Saturday's other match.
Nick Fitzgerald and Joshua Rose scored inside the last 11 minutes to turn things around following Awer Mabil's opener.
news_articleSat, 07 Feb 2015 13:11:19 +0000339149 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comA-League: Berisha stokes fire ahead of derbyAlbanian striker Besart Berisha has set the stage for a fierce Melbourne derby after claiming Melbourne Victory are the number one team in the city.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/league-preview-berisha-stokes-fire-ahead-melbourne-derby
Third-place Victory and local rivals Melbourne City, who are sixth in the standings, will meet in front of what is expected to be a bumper crowd at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Victory and City have shared the bragging rights after two derbies this season.
Berisha netted a hat-trick in his first Melbourne derby as Victory ran rampant 5-2 in October, while City were 1-0 winners in December.
Erik Paartalu's 90th-minute header gave City the honours last time around and Berisha is determined to set the record straight in the 15th instalment of the derby.
"We are number one in this town and we have to prove it," Berisha said.
"For us, this is what counts. We need to win this game and I'm going to try everything and the boys are [too].
"It's a special game. I believe, like always, it's going be all navy blue [in the crowd].
"In the last [derby]. I didn't score and this, for me, is not good. I have to focus on this derby and make sure that I don't think about what happened before.
"I have to make sure that I do my job. I'm ready to score goals because it's a special game for the club and the supporters."
While bragging rights are important for Victory (29 points) - 10 point above City - maximum points in round 16 are just as crucial for Kevin Muscat's men as they attempt to keep pace with leaders Perth Glory (33 points).
Victory surrendered a two-goal lead as they drew 3-3 in Perth last round, leaving them four points adrift of the Glory, who are also in action on Saturday.
Glory play host to fifth-placed Sydney FC at nib Stadium.
The fixture could see Slovenian defender Denis Kramar handed his debut for Perth, having arrived from La Liga outfit Getafe on a short-term injury replacement contract during the week.
"It's great to be in Perth, I've never been to Australia before so I'm looking forward to making the most out of this opportunity and being part of the team's maiden premiership aspirations and hopefully achampionship" Kramar said.
High-flying duo Adelaide United (29 points) and Wellington Phoenix (28 points) are both on the road in round 16.
Second-placed Adelaide, who welcomed former Real Madrid forward Miguel Palanca to the club during the week, travel to Gosford to face Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.
Wellington - fourth in the table - take on cellar-dwelling Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium on Sunday just days after suffering a late 3-2 defeat to Brisbane Roar.
Roar kick-off the round on Friday as they go travel to Newcastle to go head-to-head with the home-town Jets.
news_articleWed, 04 Feb 2015 03:25:14 +0000337014 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comA-League: Paljic could make Perth Glory debutPerth Glory host Melbourne Victory as the A-League returns, while Newcastle Jets visit Adelaide United.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/league-preview-paljic-could-make-glory-debut-jets-visit-adelaide
As the Asian Cup draws to a close, the A-League returns, with leaders Perth Glory to host third-placed Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
The competition took a short hiatus to allow the Asian Cup to shine, but as it hits the knockout stages, domestic football in Australia resumes.
Glory and Victory met earlier this month, with Perth claiming the spoils after winning 2-1 in oppressive heat at Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
Returning to their home ground at nib Stadium, Perth will be keen to extend their lead atop the A-League table.
Kenny Lowe's side are four points clear of both Wellington Phoenix, in second, and Victory.
And with the Phoenix not in action until next weekend, opportunity knocks for a Perth side who have won 10 of their 14 matches this season.
German winger Dragan Paljic could make his A-League debut for Perth in the fixture after arriving from Heracles Almelo earlier this month.
Paljic, 31, traded the Eredivisie for the A-League after advice from Socceroos left-back Jason Davidson, and is an injury replacement for Youssouf Hersi, who hurt his hamstring earlier this season.
Davidson played with Paljic at Heracles.
"I have heard many good things about Australian football, from my friend Jason Davidson and his father, Alan, who've only spoken positively about the league and the growth of the sport here," Paljic told Glory's official website.
"I have always looked at playing abroad and for me the A-League offers a tremendous opportunity and the challenge I thrive for.
"But most of all, I am here to play football and help the club win its first [A-League] championship.
"Perth is on a high and I want to help the team carry that momentum going forward and be part of history."
Paljic has also played for Hoffenheim and Kaiserslautern in Germany.
Victory are the league's joint-top scorers and although they will miss midfielder Mark Milligan - on national duty at the Asian Cup - boss Kevin Muscat can still rely on the likes of Besart Berisha, Gui Finkler and Archie Thompson.
Little has gone right for Newcastle Jets this season and Phil Stubbins' side, who sit second bottom, will beunderdogs when they travel to Adelaide United on Saturday.
Adelaide - who won the inaugural FFA Cup this season - were 14 A-League games unbeaten at home before Brisbane Roar beat them in December.
And another loss at Coopers Stadium followed in December, as the Phoenix won 3-1 on New Year's Eve.
Josep Gombau's side will be keen to hit back on this occasion.
The weekend's other clash sees eighth-placed Central Coast Mariners host Sydney FC, in fifth.
Both sides have flattered to deceive this season and could do with a morale-boosting three points to kickstart their campaign. The match will see former Mariners boss Graham Arnold return to Bluetongue Stadium with Sydney.
news_articleThu, 22 Jan 2015 07:01:08 +0000328753 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMilligan: Socceroos good form is no surpriseAustralias performances at the Asian Cup have come as no surprise to Mark Milligan.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/milligan-socceroos-form-no-surprise
Australia have taken the Asian Cup by storm, qualifying for the quarter-finals, but Mark Milligan is not surprised by the host nation's performances.
Critics were circling before the tournament got underway in Australia due to poor form and an over-reliance on veteran forward Tim Cahill.
Australia only managed to win one of their 11 international fixtures heading into the Asian Cup, while Cahill had scored eight of the team's 12 goals during coach Ange Postecoglou's time in charge.
But Australia have showed no mercy in their quest for glory, blitzing Group A opponents Kuwait (4-1) and Oman (4-0) to stroll into the quarters.
More impressively is the fact that eight different players have scored for the Socceroos – Cahill, Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak, James Troisi, Matt McKay, Robbie Kruse, Milligan and Tomi Juric.
While Australia's relentless form may be surprising to some, it is not to Milligan.
"I don't think it's just been the improvement over the last few weeks, we've been preparing for this tournament since the World Cup," the Melbourne Victory captain told reporters ahead of Saturday's final group game against South Korea.
"There's been a lot of players that have had a lot of game time and international experience.
"For us it's not too much of a shock that the younger ones have come in and done a job, as everyone has when they've been called on so far this tournament."
news_articleSat, 17 Jan 2015 01:16:19 +0000325539 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMilligan hails Australias goalscoring depthAustralias Mark Milligan has hailed his teams ability to take the scoring load off striker Tim Cahill so far in the Asian Cup.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/milligan-hails-australias-goal-scoring-depth
Heading into the tournament, Cahill had scored eight of Australia's 12 goals during Ange Postecoglou's time as coach.
But after scoring the hosts' opening goal against Kuwait in Melbourne on Saturday, Cahill has not hit the back of the net again, with seven team-mates getting on the scoresheet for Australia.
Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak and James Troisi scored in Australia's 4-1 win over Kuwait, while on Tuesday, Matt McKay, Robbie Kruse, Milligan and Tomi Juric produced the goods in a 4-0 triumph over Oman.
Milligan insists, however, that Cahill remains the centre-piece of the Postecoglou's attacking structure.
"Obviously it's very pleasing but in saying that we play Timmy as a nine [lead striker] and he's up front and I think that no matter what team you are in you want your number nine scoring goals," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"Timmy has been fantastic for the past 10-15 years and continues to do so but any help that the midfield can give to him is obviously very pleasing and it is reflection of how we have been playing."
One such scorer was McKay, who swept home the opening goal against Oman following an assist from Trent Sainsbury.
“It was great albeit it was from a few yards out but the performance last night was good and the goals came from a whole lot of different goal-scorers, which was great for the side," the Brisbane Roar midfielder said.
"We copped quite a bit of slack from our results in the friendlies leading into this tournament and I think the boss has been vindicated in how he approached that.
"We've got plenty of depth and every one of the 23 players in the squad if called on to play can do a great job."
Tuesday's win means Australia have already qualified for the Asian Cup quarter-finals but Milligan is confident Postecoglou's side will not take it easy in their final Group A fixture against South Korea in Brisbane on Saturday.
"We've played two games now and had two good results, but I dare say come Saturday, we're going to be heading out onto the park for another win," Milligan said.
"We want to make sure as we did last night and we want be improving for Saturday against what is a very good side."
news_articleWed, 14 Jan 2015 06:49:33 +0000323699 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comA-League: Western Sydney 1 Melbourne Victory 2Western Sydney Wanderers wait for a first A-League win of the season goes on after they lost 2-1 to Melbourne Victory on Tuesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/western-sydney-wanderers-1-melbourne-victory-2-hosts-wait-win-goes
Tony Popovic's side are rooted to the foot of the table after a dreadful campaign, and suffered their eighth defeat in 12 outings in a hugely entertaining clashat the Pirtek Stadium.
Carl Valeri put the Victory ahead with a stunning strike midway through the first half - his first goal for the club.
But Western Sydney fought back admirably, and levelled 10 minutes into the second half through Nick Kalmar.
The game looked set to end in a draw, but Melbourne snatched a valuable three points courtesy of Gui Finklerin the 80th minute.
A superb counter-attack from Kevin Muscat's men ended with Finkler finishing clinically from close range to earn a win that moves the Victory above Adelaide United and into joint second in the A-League standings.
news_articleTue, 06 Jan 2015 10:52:24 +0000318689 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAustralias starting XI unclear to MilliganMark Milligan says Australias training session on Sunday offered no clues to the starting side for the Asian Cup opener against Kuwait.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/australias-starting-xi-unclear-milligan
In much more pleasant weather conditions after the recent heatwave in Melbourne, the session was based around an 11-a-side game played in 15- to 20-minute blocks.
Matthew Spiranovic, Trent Sainsbury, Chris Herd, Jason Davidson, Mile Jedinak, James Troisi, Tommy Oar, Massimo Luongo, Tomi Juric and Robbie Kruse played on a team wearing green bibs, with goalkeepers Mitch Langerak and Eugene Galekovic rotating in and out.
Up against them in red were Mathew Ryan, Alex Wilkinson, Ivan Franjic, Terry Antonis, Aziz Behich, Mark Bresciano, Mark Milligan, Nathan Burns, Matt McKay, Mathew Leckie and Tim Cahill.
Milligan said the media should not read too much into the line-ups from that session five days out from the opening clash with Kuwait.
“Honestly I have absolutely no idea [of the starting line-up]," he said.
“We’ve been working now for seven days. The main focus has been to get everybody in the best possible shape and everybody on the same fitness level.
“As far as I know today and the last few days have been about getting everyone in shape and making sure everyone is available for that first game.”
That assessment echoes coach Ange Postecoglou’s view this week that his selection thoughts were very much fluid at this stage.
Sunday’s training session was in conjunction with an official Socceroo fan day.
Socceroo supporters numbered around 2,500 at the last official public session before the team begin final preparations for Kuwait on Friday.
“Today was emphasised it was going to be a real workout for us," the 29-year-old Melbourne Victory midfielder said.
"The last chance we get before we turn our attention to Friday night’s game."
The fan turnout was bigger than anticipated and showed the level of support for the national team ahead of the Asian Cup.
“It’s excellent to see so many fans … it’s nice to know we have all this support behind us,” Milligan said.
“I guess it’s promising signs for a big crowd in at AAMI Park yelling for us.
“We’re relying on them [the fans] to get us through as well.”
news_articleSun, 04 Jan 2015 04:10:16 +0000317222 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comA-League: Melbourne Victory 1 Perth Glory 2Perth Glory restated their A-League title credentials in convincing fashion on Friday, holding off Melbourne Victory for a 2-1 away win.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/melbourne-victory-1-perth-glory-2-leaders-pull-further-clear
Early goals from Andy Keogh and Chris Harold sealed an important triumph for Kenny Lowe's men, who survived conceding a second-half penalty to extend their lead to seven points at the top of the table with one round remaining before the break for the AFC Asian Cup.
It was just a second defeat of the league season for Victory, who came within inches of equalising when Archie Thompson's header hit the crossbar with 16 minutes remaining.
Kevin Muscat's side, missing several key players through injury and international duty, will surely stay firmly in the hunt for silverware despite this setback.
Perth moved ahead in the ninth minute when the much-maligned Ruben Zadkovich performed a great piece of skill to beat two menbefore feeding Nebojsa Marinkovic, whose ball forward led to Keogh outmuscling Adrian Leijer and finishing confidently.
Marinkovic was also involved in the Glory's second goal seven minutes later, his throughball prompting goalkeeper Nathan Coe to race from his line, only to be beaten to the ball by Harold.
The striker found an unguarded net, but Victory pulled one back through Besart Berisha's 58th-minute spot-kick afterGuilherme Finkler had goneto ground under Scott Jamieson's challenge.
Thompson nearly snatcheda point for the hosts, but Perth held on for a valuable victory.
news_articleFri, 02 Jan 2015 10:57:51 +0000316143 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comA-League: No Victory concerns for FinklerGui Finkler is not concerned about Melbourne Victorys lack of goals heading into Fridays top-of-the-table clash against Perth Glory.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/league-preview-no-concerns-finkler-ahead-victory-blockbuster
Brazilian playmaker Finkler was the hero for Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday, with his trademark free-kick five minutes from time helping the home side to a 1-0 win over a resilient Newcastle Jets.
Second-placed Victory - four points adrift of the league-leading Glory after 12 rounds - have only managed to score one goal in two matches.
Victory had found the back of the net nine times in three games prior to their 1-0 loss to city rivals Melbourne City just over a week ago.
Finkler, though, denies his team-mates are struggling in the front third as they prepare to host Glory in the firstA-League match staged at Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
"Fahid [Ben Khalfallah] hit the crossbar, Kosta [Barbarouses] hit the bar as well," Finkler said.
"In the second half we were a little more dangerous in the penalty area. We scored just once, but we still got the three points.
"We just need to work this week to get more chances to score.
"We know when [teams] come and play at AAMI Park they know that we're going to have the tempo of the game and try to win.
"Obviously they sat back during the game, they were really deep, especially in the second half.
"We started the second half pretty good with a lot of possession of the ball but we couldn't break them down. I think we deserved the win because we were looking for the three points from the first minute."
Friday's fixture means back-to-back matches for the Glory, who are in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten streak, in Melbourne following their 1-1 draw against City at AAMI Park last week.
Third-placed Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix will be keeping a close eye on proceedings in Geelong.
FFA Cup champions Adelaide and surprise-packets Wellington - fourth in the table - welcome the New Year at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday, with just one point separating the two teams.
Adelaide are six points off top spot and just two behind Victory, while back-to-back wins have the Phoenix closing in on the top-two positions.
Wellington often strugglein Adelaide, having lost five straight matches in all competitions at Coopers Stadium.
Cellar-dwelling Western Sydney Wanderers were Wellington's most recent scalp, beaten 1-0 on Sunday.
The loss in Wellington condemned the Asian champions to a third consecutive defeat and Western Sydney are fast running out of time to get their season back on track - 10 points outside of the top six leading into Thursday's hosting of Central Coast Mariners at Pirtek Stadium.
Two matches kick-off the round on Tuesday, with City and Sydney FC both in action.
City - unbeaten in three matches - travel to Hunter Stadium to face the lowly Jets.
Free-falling Sydney, who have not won a game since November 22, are away at Brisbane Roar.
news_articleMon, 29 Dec 2014 02:51:36 +0000313389 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com